Pecohub The Enugu State government said the state has achieved about 50 per cent coverage in its ongoing measles–rubella (MR) vaccination campaign.
The Chief Executive Officer and the Executive Secretary of the State’s Primary Health Care Development Agency, Ifeyinwa Ani-Osheku told Pecohub on Monday, that the campaign, which began on 4 February, had already reached more than one million children as of the fourth day.
“As of day four of the implementation of this campaign, we have already done well over 50 per cent of our intended target,” she said.
Mrs Ani-Osheku explained that the campaign targets children between the ages of nine months and 14 years, who still have the ability to mount the requisite protection against measles and rubella.
She said the state aims to reach over two million children during this campaign and is well on track to achieve this.
“Enugu state is joining the rest of the country to introduce the measles-rubella vaccines as part of routine immunisation in order to ensure that our children are well protected against the measles virus as well as the rubella virus,” she said.
She noted that the campaign is important because Enugu State is one that harbours very high incidence and prevalence of the measles virus.
Mrs Ani-Osheku added that the initiative uses a single combined injection to protect against both diseases, reducing the need for multiple painful shots.
“Now, with one shot, children receive double protection,” she said.
Also speaking to Pecohub, Chime Chinyere, Enugu State Immunisation Officer, said the state adopted a combination of fixed posts at health facilities and temporary mobile teams, which account for about 95 per cent of vaccination efforts.
Mrs Chinyere said these mobile teams move through schools, churches, markets and other public spaces to reach children who may not visit health facilities.
She attributed the growing acceptance of the vaccine to robust advocacy, communication and social mobilisation activities that involved key stakeholders from the planning stage, including officials from the education sector and local media houses.
Mrs Chinyere added that while challenges such as limited vaccination teams and occasional non-compliance persist, engagement with community leaders and government officials has helped address vaccine hesitancy.
